Texas Representative Chip Roy on Wednesday announced his opposition to President Donald Trump’s proposed federal budget, citing concerns over $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts and their potential impact on healthcare access.
The budget bill, introduced in Congress earlier this week, proposes reductions in federal spending, including major cuts to Medicaid and other domestic programs. Lawmakers from both parties have expressed concerns about the bill, including members of the House Freedom Caucus, to which Roy belongs.
Roy, a Republican representing Texas’s 21st Congressional District, said the proposed Medicaid cuts could reduce access to care for low-income individuals. “Lives are at risk with these kinds of cuts,” Roy said during a press briefing. “We need a budget that reflects fiscal responsibility without endangering essential services.”
Texas Democrats also raised concerns, stating that the proposed Medicaid reductions could result in loss of coverage for millions of Americans. They said the funding changes could affect healthcare access for low-income residents across the state.
In addition to Medicaid, the proposal includes reductions in spending across multiple sectors, intended to offset recent tax cuts. Lawmakers are debating whether the plan could increase the federal deficit or shift costs to states and local governments.
Supporters of the bill, including Representative Nathaniel Moran of East Texas, said the proposal supports long-term fiscal goals. “This budget prioritizes economic growth and responsible government spending,” Moran said in a statement on Tuesday.
Republican lawmakers remain divided over the bill. Some support the reductions as part of broader budget reform, while others, including Roy, have called for alternative approaches that maintain current levels of healthcare funding.
The bill remains under discussion in Congress. No date has been set for a final vote.
